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Preview: Cal Poly at Stanford
Stanford returns from a successful East Coast swing on Sunday to host Cal Poly, which is coming off a 17-point loss at Pittsburgh. The Cardinal, playing their final tune-up before opening Pac-12 play against California on Jan. 2, defeated previously unbeaten Connecticut 53-51 on Dec. 18 before losing to Michigan 68-65. Cal Poly won’t be intimidated by Stanford after facing Pac-12 opponents Arizona and Oregon earlier this season.
The Mustangs’ primary goal Sunday might be slowing down Stanford’s Chasson Randle, who was named Pac-12 Player of the Week after averaging 20 points and shooting 46 percent against Connecticut and Michigan. The point guard has bounced back from a disappointing sophomore season to average a team-high 18.5 points. Coach Johnny Dawkins has used the starting lineup of Randle, Anthony Brown, Josh Huestis, Dwight Powell and Stefan Nastic in all 11 games, but he’ll need more from his reserves once conference play begins.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Network
ABOUT CAL POLY (4-7): Senior forward Chris Eversley, a preseason All-Big West selection, leads the Mustangs in scoring (13.5) and rebounding (7.7), while wing David Nwaba is averaging 12.3 points on 64.6 percent shooting. Nwaba and guard Kyle Odister were each held out of the starting lineup for the first time this season against Pittsburgh for a minor violation of team rules, but both are expected to start against Stanford. The Mustangs lead the Big West in scoring defense at 62.5 points per game, but they’re also averaging a conference-low 64.5 points.
ABOUT STANFORD (8-3): The Mustangs struggled against the physical Pittsburgh front line, and they could face a similar situation against Stanford. Powell (14.2 points, 7.6 rebounds) and Huestis (11.6 points, 8.1 rebounds) have been impressive around the basket while creating more scoring opportunities for Randle. Stanford’s best perimeter defender has been Brown, who is averaging 14.5 points while shooting 55.1 percent from the field after missing most of last season with a hip injury.
TIP-INS
1. Stanford leads the all-time series 5-1, including a 70-53 win in the teams’ last meeting on Nov. 15, 2009.
2. Cal Poly is 2-6 against Pac-12 opponents under fifth-year coach Joe Callero.
3. Stanford is 69-24 at home under Dawkins.
PREDICTION: Stanford 73, Cal Poly 60
